"“At IUPUI, we know the power of two. Two world-renowned universities supporting excellence. We know that a committed partnership, shared values and vision, can double the aspirations and accomplishments of a university. Today, it’s time to invoke the
power of two—again—and double our achievements in teaching and learning; in research, scholarship, and creative activity; and in civic engagement.”"

With those words, excerpted from the address I gave earlier this month at my Installation Ceremony, I have urged my colleagues at IUPUI to join me in making a new commitment to our city, state, and nation. IUPUI has come farther than anyone could ever have imagined in just 35 years, but I am convinced that we can do even more. I am so convinced that I have made it a pledge that IUPUI will redouble its efforts and double its impact by 2010—across the board—from degree completion rates to external funding for research, from the number of students in service learning courses to the number of interns placed, while reaffirming our commitment to diversity, collaboration, and best practices. We will keep you posted as we launch this campuswide effort to take IUPUI into a new era of success and accomplishment.

IUPUI to Share in Lilly Endowment’s Brain Drain Effort

According to some estimates, Indiana loses about 10,000 college graduates to out-of-state employers each year. That’s why the Lilly Endowment challenged Indiana’s seven public universities and 31 private colleges to develop educational strategies to keep more well-educated people in Indiana. The Lilly Endowment committed $38.9 million to this effort, and IU’s campuses will share $5.5 million.

IUPUI’s strategy in this effort centers around the IUPUI Solution Center. Business and civic leaders who met with a task force of IUPUI faculty and staff to discuss ways to approach the talent development and retention issue made it clear that IUPUI is large and complex. It needs to be more accessible. The Solution Center will be a single point of contact for business and community organizations to develop partnerships, create internships, and expand linkages between the community and IUPUI. The larger goal is to link this with other initiatives in a coordinated effort to develop a pipeline of talented students who will stay in Indiana (or return to Indiana), assume leadership roles in business and industry, and help create new jobs for graduating Hoosiers.

Strengthening ties between students and employers in central Indiana is a key part of IUPUI’s efforts. Thus, in addition to coordinating and collaborating with sister IU campuses, IUPUI will work with five other partners in central Indiana to form a referral network. It includes Indiana INTERNnet, IU’s Alumni Association, Purdue’s Technology Assistance Program, the Indiana Venture Center, and Ivy Tech State College.

“The Herron Chronicle” Details Art School’s History
For more than 100 years, the Herron School of Art has educated painters, sculptors, printmakers, furniture designers and other artists. The Herron Chronicle, written by Harriet G. Warkel, Martin F. Krause, and S. L. Berry, is the first comprehensive history of the art school. It is a richly illustrated, year-by-year account based on long-overlooked archives, unpublished manuscripts, and personal recollections that provides a captivating record of the school’s rich history and legacy. The book also includes illustrations of more than 200 historic photographs and rediscovered paintings.

We owe very special thanks to Marianne Tobias, who provided funding for the book as a tribute to her stepfather, Donald Mattison, the director of the John Herron Art School from 1933 to 1970. The book is available from the Indiana University Press, 1 (800) 842-6796.

IU Medical School, Merck Vaccinating Kenyan Children

Half the children born in sub-Saharan Africa each year do not receive routine vaccinations to protect them from debilitating or deadly diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, hepatitis, and influenza. About 10 percent of Kenyan children die before reaching the age of five, according to the World Health Organization—many due to such preventable diseases.

With a $200,000 grant from pharmaceutical firm Merck & Company, our Indiana University School of Medicine will work with the Moi University Faculty of Health Sciences in Eldoret, Kenya, to help fight the problem. The Merck Vaccine Network-Africa grant will allow the School of Medicine to establish a vaccination services training program for health-care workers and create a sustainable workforce of professionals skilled in vaccine management.

In This Season of Giving . . .

In recognition of the generosity of the individuals, corporations, and endowments, mentioned in this month’s newsletter, won’t you consider giving to a college or university of your choice this holiday season? Indiana taxpayers can reward themselves with a tax credit, which can be reported on the CC-40 form we have enclosed for your convenience. Happy holidays to all!